The first Chilean Flamingo chick of 2007 has been born at WWT Martin Mere. The chick, named Chico by staff, was born on Thursday 9th August.
Every year the birds may lay up to twenty-five eggs, but not until July or August so when they finally hatch in September, it is too cold and there are not enough sunlight hours in the day to stimulate their growth. The chicks, therefore, have not survived.
It was in 2004 that the Centre last successfully raised two Chilean Flamingo chicks, so staff at Martin Mere have gone to extreme lengths this year to encourage the Chilean Flamingos to breed early by creating starter mud nests, an initial mould which we hoped would stimulate them to start nest building in June. As a result the flamingos laid their eggs a month earlier than usual and the Centre is confident of the chick’s survival this year.
Grounds Manager, Julia Meldrum, said: “Everyone at the Centre is delighted that we have had the first chick born and the fact that we have been able to influence the breeding patterns of the flamingos is a real credit to the grounds team at Martin Mere and the conservation work of WWT. Visitors to Martin Mere will soon be able to see the chicks form a crèche; giving the community the opportunity of seeing the parenting skills of the Chilean Flamingos for the first time in three years.”
The flamingo chicks, born a greyish-white colour, will feed from specialist crop milk that their mothers produce for up to six months. The only other bird that feeds their young with milk is the pigeon and their bills are specifically bent to allow the transfer of the milk to the chick’s mouth.
The flamingos can be viewed next to the Eco-garden at the Centre and you can keep an eye on the website to watch their progress.
WWT Martin Mere is open every day from 9.30am to 5.30pm and parking is free of charge. Situated off the A59, it is signposted from the M61, M58 and M6. The Centre is also accessible via the Southport to Manchester and the Liverpool to Preston line by train from Burscough Rail Stations. Visit the web site http://www.wwt.org.uk/visit/martinmere/ to find out what’s on all year round at Martin Mere and the other eight centres.
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